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PRECAST CONCRETE
CREAGH CONCRETE HAS DELIVERED COMPLEX PRECAST WORKS FOR CARDIFF’S TALLEST BUILDING IN A PRECISE INSTALLATION HARNESSING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY… Guildford Crescent: Building Cardiff’s future, one precast panel at a time
Cardiff’s skyline has a new landmark - and a new standard in modern construction. The Guildford Crescent development, rising to 31 storeys, now holds the title of the city’s tallest building. But beyond its height, it represents a transformation in how we think about design, sustainability and innovation in construction. Delivered by Galliford Try Investments with Creagh Concrete at the helm of precast works, this private build-to-rent development comprises 272 high-quality apartments with communal spaces and a rooftop terrace. The structure itself is articulated into three interlocking blocks that step down from 31 to 26 to 22 storeys, giving Cardiff’s newest icon a striking yet balanced profile. However, the project’s significance goes far beyond aesthetics. Its complexity pushed boundaries, particularly with its location: hemmed in by a train line, HMP Cardiff and a main arterial route. With space for only one delivery trailer at a time, precision became paramount. Installation relied on meticulous planning, tower cranes and a steady rhythm of just- in-time logistics. Creagh deployed its Rapidres® offsite crosswall system, tailor-made for repetitive, high-rise residential layouts. Precast panels, manufactured offsite with insulation, openings and even utilities pre-integrated, arrived ready for swift assembly. The result? Faster builds, tighter tolerances and reduced disruption in a highly constrained urban environment. What makes this project truly forward- looking is the infusion of digital technology. Creagh is embracing Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence, integrating computer vision into production lines to detect defects in real time, while using AI- driven data analysis to optimise processes and cut waste. On Guildford Crescent, bespoke steel moulds ensured consistent precision, while
3D scanning verified every panel before dispatch. Even colour scanners checked for uniform finishes - proof that high-rise living need not compromise on quality or design. In terms of sustainability, tangible progresses include switching to 100% certified green electricity in 2025 - removing 1,360 tonnes of CO₂e annually - piloting smart energy management tools and investing in lower-carbon concrete. With Guildford Crescent, lightweight shuttering systems cut material use and improved safety, while Creagh’s wider roadmap to Net Zero embeds carbon reduction across operations. With ISO 14001 certification and innovative products like Rapidres, the company continues to push construction toward greener horizons. Biodiversity stewardship, including careful ecological relocations before quarrying, underscores its
environmental responsibility. Safety, too, was paramount. Creagh’s Integrated Management System, accredited to ISO 45001, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001, integrates health, safety, quality and environmental standards. From engineered safe lifting systems to a Six Point Safety Plan, the company has consistently driven down lost-time incidents while fostering a culture of vigilance and improvement. Guildford Crescent is more than Cardiff’s tallest tower, it’s a case study in what the future of construction should look like: smarter, safer and more sustainable. In an industry too often anchored by tradition, this project shows that concrete innovation can set new benchmarks for cities everywhere.
E: info@creaghconcrete.com www.creaghconcrete.com
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